Automatic toe lasting machine



Sept. 4, 1962 Filed 001;. 27, 1960 R B. DUN LAP 35051 970 AUTOMATIC TOE LASTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 06072 ,5. flaw/a,

ATTORNEYS Sept. 4, 1962 R. B. DUNLAP AUTOMATIC TOE LASTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 27, 1960 3,051,970 AUTOMATIC TOE LASTING MACHINE Robert B. Dunlap, Medway, Masa, assiguor to Jacob S. Kamhorian, West Newton, Mass, Filed st. 27, 1960, Ser. No. 65,375 22 Claims. (Cl. 12-8.8)

This invention relates to shoe machines and, in particular, to machines for lasting the toes of shoes.

In the application of Robert B. Dunlap and Jacob S. Kamborian, Serial No. 778,188, filed December 4, 1958, now Patent No. 3,011,186 granted December 5, 1961, there is shown a semi-automatic machine of this kind, wherein there is a support for holding a last with an insole and upper assembled thereon, bottom side up, a plurality of spreaders arranged to move inwardly from positions situated laterally outward of the last, over the lasting margin, into engagement with the insole, and then outwardly to pull the lasting margin outwardly and clamp it into engagement with the upper surface of the wipers, power operated means for lowering the last while the margin is thus gripped to a plane just below the undersides of the wipers, thereby to stretch and stress the clamped margin, and other power operated means for then moving the wipers inwardly over the insole, the margin being released from the spreaders as the wipers move inwardly.

In the aforesaid machine, the various operations are initiated by closing various circuits controlled by three push buttons, the first of which clamps the shoe in position, tensions the upper and lowers the shoe so that its upper surface is just below the wipers in position for wiping, the second of which effects the wiping operation and the third of which returns the operating instrumentalities to their initial position for the next operation. Also in that machine, there is a leveling device movable downwardly with the shoe support and operable by contact with a shoulder, at a predetermined position, to bring the support to a stop with the bottom of the shoe just below the undersurface of the wipers.

The aforesaid leveling device is controlled by the level of a clamp engageable with the upwardly facing surface of the insole, said clamp also functioning to clamp the shoe rigidly against the shoe support. Due to the clamping pressure exerted by the clamp, it tends to bite into the insole. For this reason, and because of the distance of the clamp from the toe end of the shoe, the clamp level does not give as accurate a determination of the level of the insole as is desired. An object of this invention is to overcome this difficulty by providing a level-ing device separate from the clamp engageable under relatively light pressure with the toe portion of the insole during the descent of the last in order to stop the descent when the insole is at a predetermined level below the wipers regardless of the thickness of the insole or the depth of the last.

Further objects of the invention are to provide for limiting the pressure between the shoe bottom and the wipers during the wiping operation so as not to tear the lasting margin by excessive frictional forces between the wipers and the shoe bottom, to provide for alternately applying upward pressure to the shoe and relieving this pressure during the forward movement of the wipers, and to relieve the clamping pressure of the spreaders against the wipers during the forward movement of the wipers.

As herein illustrated, the machine has wipers, spreaders disposed about the opening between the wipers, a support for holding bottom-up a last with a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon, means for effecting movement of the support to a first position in which the upwardly facing surface of the insole is substantially at the level of the assists Patented Sept. 4, 1962 upper side of the wipers, means for effecting movement of the spreaders to pull the lasting margin outwardly into engagement with the wipers and clamp it against the wipers, means for effecting further downward movement of the support and a sensing device arranged to have contact with the insole and to move downwardly therewith as the support is lowered to actuate means for terminating the downward movement of the support at a second position when the sensing finger reaches a predetermined level with respect to the underside of the wipers. The sensing device may be constituted by a.- finger that is yieldably urged against the insole by a fluid motor so as to move downwardly therewith. At the second position, the wipers are moved inwardly over the shoe bottom, and there is means to press the insole against the underside of the wipers. There is pressure responsive means operable, during the forward movement of the wipers, alternately to release the pressure when it reaches a predetermined amount and then to reapply it. There is also means for releasing the pressure on the spreaders and retracting the sensing finger during the forward movement of the wipers, and means operable when the wipers reach their extreme forward position to increase the pressure to bed the bottom of the shoe against the wipers.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the machine;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mount for the sensing device, omitting the base of the machine;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation partly in section of the sensing device show-ing it in its initial position;

FIG. 4 is a similar view showing the sensing device in its operative position;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the wipers and wiper actuating means;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view of part of the control mechanism for cycling the machine;

FIG. 8 is a wiring diagram; and

FIG. 9 is a fluid pressure diagram.

The apparatus which forms the subject matter of this application is of the kind shown in the aforementioned Patent No. 3,011,186, and has a rigid supporting frame 10 (FIG. 1), at the top of which there are wipers 12 (FIGS. 3 and 4), arranged to move in a horizontal plane and a wiper actuating motor 14 (FIGS. 5 and 6), by means of which the wipers are moved forwardly and rearwardly. The piston 40 of the motor 14 is connected to a slidable block 42 which is connected by linkage 44 to cam plates 46 to which the wipers 12 are secured, so that forward movement of the piston rod causes the wipers to move forwardly and close about the toe portion of a shoe 48 mounted on a last 49 (see FIG. 3) to wipe or fold the lasting margin 50 of the shoe upper 52 down upon the insole 54. Reference is made to said Patent No. 3,011,186 for a more detailed description of the mechanism for moving the wipers 12 in response to movement of the piston 40.

There is also mounted on top of the frame 1ft pressing or retarder members comprising spreader feet 16, of which there are three, an operating motor 18 for the center spreader foot, and an operating motor 18a for each of the side spreader feet (see FIG. 9). Only the center one of the spreader feet is shown since all three are alike. The spreader feet are arranged above the wipers and there is actuating linkage between the spreader feet and their motors by means of which when the pistons of the motors are moved in one direction the spreader feet move from an initial position outwardly of the last, upwardly and then inwardly over the last, and when the motors are reversed,

the spreader feet move downwardly into engagement with the insole, and then outwardly of the last to fold the lasting margin down on the wipers and press it thereagainst. Reference is made to pending application Serial No. 34,563 filed June 7, 1960, in the names of Jacob S. Kamborian and Heinz W. Stemmler for a more detailed des'cription of the mechanism for moving the spreader feet.

A carriage is pivotally mounted on a post 22 (FIG. 1), s'lidably supported in bearings 24 on the frame and is connected at its lower end to a motor 26, which it may be moved heightwise. At the upper end of the post 22 there 1s a toe rest 28, and on the carriage there is a heel clamp 30. A motor 32 provides for moving the heel clamp into and out of engagement with the heel of the last 49 disposed bottom-side up with its toe resting on the toe rest 28. The heel clamp is locked in position by the piston of a latch motor 33 that is engageable with a toothed bar 35 on the carriage 20. A clamp 34, for engagement with the bottom side of the last, is mounted for vertical movement on the carriage and is connected at its lower end to the piston of a clamp motor 36. The clamp motor 36 is mounted on the carriage 2%.

A sensing device 38 is mounted on a slide 11 (FIGS. 3 and 4) which supports the center one of the spreader feet 16 so as to partake of its forward and rearward movement. A sleeve 13, bolted to the forward end of the slide, supports the sensing device 38 for vertical movement with its lower end resting on the insole of the shoe assembled on the last. The sensing device 38 comprises a finger yieldably held against the insole by a bell crank lever 15 pivotally mounted on a bracket 17 fixed to the slide, one arm of the lever being connected to the upper end of the sensing device 38 by a link 19 and the other arm being connected to the protruding end of a piston rod 21 mounted in a cylinder 23. The cylinder 23 is pivotally mounted at its rear end on a bracket 25 fixed to the slide 11. To terminate downward movement of the carriage and hence of the insole when the latter reaches a predetermined position below the wipers, a limit switch LS2 and switch actuator rod 27 are mounted on the bracket 25 and cylinder 23 respectively. The switch actuator is supported in a sleeve 29, with one end adjacent the switch and the other end extending forwardly through a hole in a control finger 31 fixed to the rod 21. There is a spring 33 disposed on the actuator 27 between its rear end and the sleeve 29 and there are adjustable nuts 35 serving as an abutment means on the forward end of the actuator outside of the finger 31. Forward movement of the rod 21 as the sensing device follows the shoe on the support downwardly, by engagement of the finger 31 with the nuts 35 pulls the rod 27 forwardly to actuate the switch LS2. By adjusting the nuts the switch LS2 may be actuated when the lower end of the sensing device 38 reaches a predetermined relation to the plane of the wipers to stop further downward movement of the carriage.

The machine is fully automatic as distinguished from that described in Patent No. 3,011,186 referred to above. In using the machine, the last with the shoe upper and insole thereon is placed on the shoe support comprising the toe rest 28 and the heel clamp 3'9. At this time, the carriage 20 is at such a height that the shoe bottom is above the level of the wipers. The machine is then started to run through its cycle. The clamp 34 descends under relatively heavy pressure to rigidly clamp the shoe between the clamp 34 and the toe rest 28. The heel end of the shoe is engaged by the heel clamp 30 and the carriage now descends to lower the shoe to a position where the upper surface of the insole 54 is substantially at the level of the upper surface of the wipers 12. The spreader feet 16 are now moved from a position on top of the wipers upwardly, then inwardly over the shoe, then downwardly to engage the insole 54, and then outwardly over the insole and on top of the wipers to fold the lasting margin down against the wipers and press the lasting margin against the wipers. This is followed by the lowering of the sensing finger 38 by engagement with the insole under relatively light pressure sufiicient to keep the sensing finger in engagement with the insole during the subsequent lowering of the shoe, but not to penetrate the insole or indent the insole. The air motor comprising piston 21 and cylinder 23 acts as a yielda'ble drive to hold the finger 38 in engagement with the insole during the subsequent lowering of the last.

The carriage 20 now resumes its downward movement until the upper surface of the insole is at a predetermined distance below the lower surfaces of the wipers, preferably an amount equal to the thickness of the lasting margin 50. During the downward movement of the caniage, the sensing finger continues in engagement with the insole, and the downward movement ceases when the switch LS2 is actuated by the engagement of the finger 31 with the nuts 35. During this downward movement, the upper is stretched tautly about the last to take any wrinkles or slack out of the upper due to the gripping of the lasting margin between the spreader feet 16 and the wipers 12 thereby retarding the downward movement of the lasting margin.

After the shoe has terminated its downward movement, adhesive may be applied into the angle between the lasting margin and insole which will adhesively bond the lasting margin to the insole when the lasting margin is subsequently wiped down over the insole. Alternatively, precemented uppers may be used wherein the lasting margin has adhesive applied thereto prior to the insertion of the shoe in the machine, which adhesive is activated to bond the lasting margin to the upper under the pressure exerted by the wipers during their wiping action. It is also contemplated that after the lasting margin has ben wiped down over the insole, it may be secured thereto by tacks, staples or other similar fastening means.

After the shoe has ceased its downward movement to bring the insole below the level of the wipers, the wipers are moved forwardly and inwardly over the shoe to wipe or fold the lasting margin down over the insole, and at the same time, the carriage 20 is raised to apply pressure to the underside of the shoe during the forward and inward movement of the wipers. When this pressure reaches a predetermined amount the application of upward pres sure of the shoe against the wiper ceases, and when this pressure falls below a predetermined amount the application of upward pressure is resumed. As the wipers move forwardly, the spreader feet :16 cease applying pressure against the lasting margin held between the spreader feet and the wipers, but remain in contact with the lasting margin. This enables the wipers to perform their function without the lasting margin being held back by the spreader feet, but enables the spreader feet to act as a brake to some extent and restrain the movement of the lasting margin under the influence of the wipers due to the spreader feet resting on the wipers. During the forward movement of the wipers, the sensing finger 38 is also raised clear of the shoe. When the wipers terminate their movement, increased upward pressure is applied to the shoe to apply bedding pressure against the wipers and insure that the lasting margin is laid fiat against the insole.

The carriage 20 is now moved down to lower the shoe, the wipers are retracted to their initial position, the clamp 34 is raised and the heel lock 30* is retracted to release the shoe and the carriage is then raised to its starting position.

The machine is caused to run through a complete cycle by the electro-pneumatic system illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9. The various parts are moved through a cycle through one revolution of a cam shaft 56 which is driven by a motor M (see FIG. 7). Mounted at spaced intervals on the cam shaft for rotation therewith are ten cams, two earns 58 and 6t being shown in FIG. 7. Single pole double throw switches SW1 through SW10 are mounted so that their switch actuators ride along the peripheries of the cams during the rotation of the latter. Each switch has a terminal a and a terminal b. When a switch actuator is in engagement with a cam lobe, there is a closed circuit in the associated swish through one of said terminals, and when the switch actuator is in engagement with a cam depression, there is a closed circuit in the associated switch through the other of said terminals.

The machine is started by means of a foot treadle (not shown) which, when depressed, closes a switch S (FIG. 8). The closing of the switch S supplies current from an outside source labeled AC to the coil R. The energization of the coil R moves switch SW1 from terminal a to terminal b, which in turn starts the motor M thereby causing the cam shaft 56 to start rotating. Immediately after the motor and the cam shaft start rotating, the actuator switch SW1 rides ofi a cam lobe and engages a cam depression and remains in engagement with the cam depression until the cam shaft has rotated for substantially one revolution. The engagement of the switch actuator with the cam depression causes switch SW1 to remain at terminal b thereby closing a circuit to the motor M independently of switch S. The operator may therefore remove his foot from the treadle soon after depressing it without stopping the motor M. The closing of the switch S also energizes solenoid C which operates a counter (not shown).

Continued rotation of the cam shaft now causes switch SW6 to move from terminal a to terminal b and thereby energizes the coil C1 of a solenoid operated valve V1 (FIG. 9) so as to operate the motor 36 to move the toe clamp 34 into engagement with the insole. The valve V1 is part of a pressure system for supplying air from a pressure source through air filter AF, air lubricator AL, and pressure regulators r1, r2, r3, r4 to the several air operated motors of the machine.

After this, switch SW9 is moved from terminal b to terminal a so that current is supplied through normally closed limit switch LS1 to the coil C6 of a solenoid operated valve V2 which supplies pressure to the top of the carriage motor 26 to thereby lower the carriage. The limit switch LS1 is fixed to the frame of the machine in position to be opened by a switch actuator 62 connected to the clamp 34 (see FIG. 1), which clamp moves downwardly with the carriage. Downward movement of the carriage continues until the limit switch LS1 is opened by movement of the carriage to a position in which the bottom of the insole on the last is substantially at the level of the upper surface of the wipers. The movement of the switch SW9 from terminal b to terminal a also energizes the latch coil of relay Ra so as to close switches Ra-l and Ra2. Closing of the switch Ral energizes coil C2 of solenoid operated valve V3 to cause fluid pressure to be applied to the rear end of the heel clamp motor 32 so as to move the heel clamp into engagement with the last.

Switch SW2 is now moved from terminal b to terminal a, and back from terminal a to terminal b, so as to pulse coils C8 and C9 of solenoid operated valves V4 and V5. The valve V4 is normally open and the valve V5 is normally closed so that the motor 18 controlled by these valves is normally retracted thereby keeping the center spreader retracted in its down position. Energization of the coil C8 causes the valve V4 to close and energization of the coil C9 causes the valve V5 to open thereby providing air pressure to the rear of the motor 18 which causes the center spreader to move upwardly and inwardly over the last. This is followed very shortly by a downward and outward movement of the center spreader due to the deenergization of the coils C8 and C9 which causes the spreader to fold the lasting margin down onto the wipers 12 and press the lasting margin against the wipers (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

Substantially simultaneously with the aforesaid movement of switch SW2, switch SW14) is moved from terminal b to terminal a and then from terminal a to terminal b to pulse coils C17 and C18 of valves V6 and V7. The valve V6 is normally open and the valve V7 is normally closed so that the motors 18a controlled by these valves will normally be retracted to cause the side spreaders to be in their retracted and down positions. The energiz'ation of the coil C17 causes the valve V6 to close and the energization of the coil 018 causes the valve V7 to open, thereby providing air pressure to the rear ends of the motors 18a to cause the side spreaders to move upwardly and inwardly over the last. This is followed very shortly by a downward and outward movement of the side spreaders due to the deenergization of the coils C17 and C18 which causes the side Spreaders to fold the lasting margin down against the wipers and press the lasting margin against the wipers. The side spreader motors 18a are identical with the center spreader motor 18 and hence are shown only in the pressure diagram.

Switch SW3 is now moved from terminal b to terminal a to energize the latch coil 64 of relay Rb which in turn causes the associated switch Rb1 to move from terminal a to terminal b. This in turn causes the energization of coil C10 of solenoid operated valve V9. Valve V9 now supplies air pressure to the left end (FIG. 3) of the sensing device cylinder 23 so as to bring the sensing device into engagement with the insole and to keep it in engagement with the insole during subsequent downward movement of the last.

The switch SW4 is now moved from the terminal b to the terminal a and, through the normally closed switch LS2, reenergizes the coil C6 of the valve V2 to operate the motor 26 to cause resumption of downward movement of the carriage 219. Such downward movement continues until the limit switch LS2 is opened by the engagement of the finger 31 with the adjustable nuts 35 which opens the switch LS2 so as to deenergize the coil C6, bringing the carriage to rest.

Now the switch SW5 is caused to move from terminal b to terminal a. This causes current to be supplied through; normally closed terminal a of switch RC1, which switch is controlled by relay -RC, through the now closed switch Rw2 to the coil C7. Energization of the coil C7 causes air pressure to go through valve V2 to the lower end of the motor 26 to raise the carriage 20. When the switch SW5 moves from terminal b to terminal a, current is also caused to go through the normally closed terminal b of switch S1 to solenoid C4 to cause air pressure togo through valve V19 against the rear of the motor 14 to move the wipers 12 forwardly. The movement of switch SW5 from terminal b to terminal a also energizes coil C12 through terminal b of switch S1 to supply pressure to the heel lock cylinder 33 by way of the solenoid operated valve V26 to lock the heel clamp 30 in place.

The air supplied to the spreader controlling valves V4, V5, V6 and V7 flows from the source through the regulator r1 and then through the solenoid operated v'alve V10. Thus valve V10 acts as a master control for all of the spreader assemblies. As the wipers move forwardly a switch S2, which normally is closed when the wipers are in their rearward position, is actuated concomitantly with the departure of the wipers to move from terminal b to terminal a. The switch S2 is connected by a bar 65 to the cylinder 68 of the motor 14 (see FIG. 6). A rod 7 0, connected to the piston 46 of the motor 14, has a switch actuator bolt 72 threaded into its lower end. The bolt 72 is positioned in alignment with the plunger of the switch S2. Thus forward movement of the wiper actuating piston 40 actuates the switch S2 in the manner described above. The movement of the switch S2 from terminal b to terminal a deenergizes solenoid C16 thereby closing the valve V10. The closing of the valve V10 stops the flow of air from the source by way of the regulator r1 through the valve V16 and allows the air in the lines extending from the valve V16 to the spreader valves V4, V5, V6 and V7 to be exhausted through the valve V10 to atmosphere thereby relaxing the pressure of the spreaders on the lasting margin gripped between the Spreaders and the wipers positioned below the Spreaders. When 7 the switch S2 goes to terminal a, the release coil 65 of the relay Rb is energized thereby causing the switch Rbl to move from terminal b to terminal a which energizes coil C11 to actuate valve V9 to apply pressure to the forward end of the motor 23 to raise the sensing fin er 38.

A pressure switch PS is connected at one end by an air line into the air line extending from the valve V2 to the top of the carriage motor 26 and is connected at its other end by a second air line into the air line extending from the valve V2 to the bottom of the carriage motor 26. The switch PS is a conventional switch which will close when the pressure in the portion of the cylinder of the motor 26 above the piston of said motor reaches a predetermined ratio to the pressure in the portion of the motor cylinder below the piston and will open again when the pressure in the cylinder portion above the piston goes below this ratio.

As the wipers move forwardly and inwardly over the shoe, the pressure bearing against the wipers rises due to upward movement of the piston of the motor 26. In order to avoid undue stress on the lasting margin which might tear it and also to provide for recurrent surges of pressure, the pressure switch PS closes when the increase in pressure reaches a predetermined amount. The closing of the switch PS causes current to flow from switch SW5, terminal b of switch S1 and switch PS to energize the coil of relay RC which causes switch RC1 to move from terminal a to terminal b whereby coil C7 of solenoid operated valve V2 is deenergized to cease the appl-ication of upward pressure on the carriage 20. As soon as the pressure falls off a sufificient amount, however, the switch PS opens, the relay RC is deenergized, the switch RC1 moves back to terminal a, and the pressure is restored so as to press the insole upwardly against the underside of the wipers again. Such action takes place repeatedly so that the pressure is alternately applied and relieved throughout forward movement of the wipers. This action continues until the wipers reach the outer ends of their stroke whereupon the switch S1 is moved from terminal b to terminal a thereby energizing coil 014 of solenoid operated valve V11 which causes air to pass from the valve V11 to land through the valve V2 thereby supplying additional pressure to the carriage motor to apply increased bedding pressure between the bottom of the shoe and the wipers. The switch S1 is fixed to the frame of the machine (see FIG. 6) and is positioned in alignment with the actuator bolt 72 so as to have its plunger depressed by the bolt when the piston 40 has moved the wipers to the ends of their strokes. The movement of switch S1 from terminal 17 to terminal a also deenergizes coil C12 and energizes coil 13 of valve V20 to release the heel lock cylinder 33 and thereby unlock the heel clamp 30. After an interval long enough to apply a sufficient amount of bedding pressure, switch SW moves from terminal a to terminal 12 to thereby deenergize coil C14 to close valve 11 and cease the application of bedding pressure.

Switch SW7 is now moved from terminal b to terminal a to energize coil C6 of the solenoid operated valve V2 so as to apply pressure to the upper end of the carriage motor and thereby move the carriage down. Substantially simultaneously, switch SW3 is moved from terminal b to terminal a to energize coil C5 of solenoid openated valve V19 to supply fluid to the forward end of the motor 18 to retract the wipers.

Switch SW6 is now moved from terminal [1 to terminal a so as to energize the coil C3 of solenoid operated valve V8 to raise the clamp hold down 34 and retract the heel clamp 30 and switches SW3, W SW7, SW8 SW9 return to their initial positions.

(Finally switch SW1 is moved from terminal b to terminal a to stop the motor M. The movement of switch SW1 to terminal a energizes coil C7 of solenoid operated valve V2 to raise the carriage until the normally closed top limit switch TL is opened in response to the upward movement of the carriage to thereby stop said upward movement. The switch TL is mounted on the frame of the machine in alignment with a switch actuator 74 connected to the carriage 20 to rise therewith (see FIG. 1).

While a desirable embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described by way of example, it is to be understood that the invention is broadly inclusive of any and all modifications falling within the scope of the appended claims. It is to be further understood that directional terms in the claims such as horizontal, upwardly or downwardly define the relative movement between the several machine parts and should be construed accordingly.

I claim:

1. A lasting machine comprising a frame, movable wiper means mounted on the frame, at least one spreader mounted on the frame, a support on the frame for holding bottom side up a last having a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon, a clamp positioned above the last, means for moving the clamp downwardly under relatively heavy pressure into engagement with the upwardly facing surface of the insole, means for holding the support in a position wherein the upwardly facing surface of the insole is substantially level with the upper surface of the wiper means, means for effecting movement of the spreader across the insole and outwardly thereof to lay the lasting margin of the upper down on the wiper means and press it thereagainst, a vertically movable sensing finger positioned between the clamp and the Wiper means, means for lowering the sensing finger into engagement with the upwardly facing surface of the insole under relatively light pressure, means for moving the support and clamp downwardly in unison, said sensing finger remaining in engagement with said insole surface during said downward movement, means operative in response to the movement of the sensing finger to terminate the downward movement of the support and clamp when the insole contacting surface of the sensing finger reaches a predetermined level subjacent the wiper means, and means for moving the wiper means across the insole to wipe the lasting margin down against the insole.

2. A lasting machine comprising a frame, movable Wiper means mounted on the frame, at least one spreader mounted on the frame, a support on the frame for bolding bottom side up a last having a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon, a clamp positioned above the last, means for moving the clamp downwardly under relatively heavy pressure into engagement with the upwardly facing surface of the insole, motor means for moving the support and clamp in unison to a position wherein the upwardly facing surface of the insole is substantially level with the upper surface of the wiper means, means for effecting movement of the spreader across the insole and outwardly thereof to lay the lasting margin of the upper down on the wiper means and press it thereagainst, a vertically movable sensing finger positioned between the clamp and the wiper means, means for lowering the sensing finger into engagement with the upwardly facing surface of the insole under relatively light pressure, means for resuming the operation of said motor means to move the support and clamp downwardly in unison, said sensing finger remaining in engagement with said insole surface during said downward movement, means operative in response to the movement of the sensing finger when the insole contacting surface of the sensing finger reaches a predetermined level subjacent the wiper means to terminate the operation of said motor means, and means for moving the wiper means across the insole to Wipe the lasting margin down against the insole.

3. A lasting machine comprising a frame, movable wiper means mounted on the frame, at least one spreader mounted on the frame, a support on the frame for holding bottom side up a last having a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon, a clamp positioned above the last, means for moving the clamp downwardly under relative- 1y heavy pressure into engagement with the upwarly facing surface of the insole, means for holding the support in a position wherein the upwardly facing surface of the insole is substantially level with the upper surface of the wiper means, means for effecting movement of the spreaders across the insole and outwardly thereof to lay the lasting margin of the upper down on the wiper means and press it thereagainst, a vertically movable sensing finger positioned between the clamp and the wiper means, means for lowering the sensing finger into engagement with the upwardly facing surface of the insole under relatively light pressure, means for moving the support and clamp downwardly in unison, said sensing finger remaining in engagement with said insole surface during said downward movement, means operative in response to the movement of the sensing finger to terminate the downward movement of the support and clamp when the insole contacting surface of the sensing finger reaches a predetermined level subjacent the Wiper means, means for moving the wiper means across the insole to wipe the lasting margin down against the insole, and means operative concomitantly with the movement of the wiper means to release the pressure of the spreader against the lasting margin.

4. A lasting machine comprising a frame, movable wiper means mounted on the frame, at least one presser member mounted on the frame, a support on the frame for holding bottom side up a last having a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon, a clamp positioned above the last, means for moving the clamp downwardly under relatively heavy pressure into engagement with the upwardly facing surface of the insole, means for holding the support in a position wherein the upwardly facing surface of the insole is adjacent the level of the upper surface of the wiper means, means for pressing the press ing member against the upper surface of the wiper means to clamp the lasting margin of the upper against the wiper means, a vertically movable sensing finger positioned between the clamp and the wiper means, means for lowering the sensing finger into engagement with the upwardly facing surface of the insole under relatively light pressure, means for moving the support and clamp downwardly in unison, said sensing finger remaining in engagement with said insole surface during said downward movement, means operative in response to the movement of the sensing finger to terminate the downward movement of the support and clamp when the insole contacting surface of the sensing finger reaches a predetermined level subjacent the wiper means, and means for moving the wiper means across the insole to wipe the lasting margin down against the insole.

5. The lasting machine of claim 4 having means operative concomitantly with the movement of the wiper means to release the pressure of the presser member against the lasting margin.

6. A lasting machine comprising a frame, movable wiper means mounted on the frame, at least one presser member mounted on the frame, a support on the frame for holding bottom side up a last having a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon, means for holding the support in a position wherein the upwardly facing surface of the insole is adjacent the level of the upper surface of the wiper means, means for pressing the presser member against the upper surface of the wiper means to clamp the lasting margin of the upper against the wiper means, a sensing finger mounted for vertical movement above the insole, yieldable drive means for urging the sensing finger downwardly into engagement with the upwardly facing surface of the insole, means for moving the support downwardly, said drive means causing the sensing finger to remain in engagement with said insole surface during said downward movement, means operative in response to the movement of the sensing finger to terminate the downward movement of the support when the insole contacting surface of the sensing finger reaches a predetermined level subjacent the wiper means, and means for moving the wiper means across the insole to wipe the lasting margin down against the insole.

7. A lasting machine comprising a frame, movable wiper means mounted on the frame, at least one presser member mounted on the frame, a support on the frame for holding bottom side up a last having a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon, means for holding the support in a position wherein the upwardly facing surface of the insole is adiacent the level of the upper surface of the wiper means, means for pressing the presser member against the upper surface of the wiper means to clamp the lasting margin of the upper against the wiper means, a sensing finger mounted for vertical movement above the insole, a fluid motor comprising a piston and cylinder mounted on the frame, means connecting the piston to the sensing finger, means for supplying fluid to the cylinder to move the piston and thereby to yieldably urge the sensing finger into engagement with the upwardly facing surface of the insole, means for moving the support downwardly, said fluid motor causing the sensing finger to remain in engagement with said insole surface during said downward movement, means operative in response to the movement of the sensing finger to terminate the downward movement of the support when the insole contacting surface of the sensing finger reaches a predetermined level subjacent the wiper means, and means for moving the wiper means across the insole to wipe the lasting margin down against the insole.

8. A lasting machine comprising a frame, movable wiper means mounted on the frame, at least one presser member mounted on the frame, a support on the frame for holding botom side up a last having a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon, means for holding the support in a position wherein the upwardly facing surface of the insole is adjacent the level of the upper surface of the wiper means, means for pressing the presser member against the upper surface of the wiper means to clamp the lasting margin of the upper against the wiper means, a sensing finger mounted for vertical movement above the insole, a fluid motor comprising a piston and a cylinder mounted on the frame, means connecting the piston to the sensing finger, means for supplying fluid to the cylinder to move the piston and thereby to yieldably urge the sensing finger into engagement with the upwardly facing surface of the insole, motor means connected to the support for moving the support downwardly, switch means for controlling said fluid motor mounted on the frame, a switch actuator rod disposed adjacent the switch and yieldably urged against the switch, means for operating the motor means to move the support downwardly, said fluid motor causing the piston to move outwardly and the sensing finger to remain in engagement with said insole surface during said downward movement, a finger connected to the piston and disposed to engage the actuator rod after a predetermined outward movement of the piston to thereby move the actuator rod away from the switch, control means interconnecting the switch and the motor means responsive to the removal of the switch actuator from the switch to terminate the operation of the motor means thereby stopping the downward movement of the support when the insole contacting surface of the sensing finger reaches a predetermined level subjacent the wipers, and means for moving the wiper means across the insole to wipe the lasting margin down against the insole.

9. A lasting machine comprising a frame, horizontally movable wiper means mounted on the frame, a horizontally movable slide mounted on the frame above the wiper means, a spreader foot mounted on the slide 'for movement therewith and for vertical movement with respect thereto, a support on the frame for holding bottom side up a last having a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon, means for holding the support in a position wherein the upwardly facing surface of the insole is substantially at the level of the upper surface of the wiper means, means for effecting movement of the spreader across the insole and outwardly thereof to lay the lasting margin of the upper down on the wiper means and press it thereagainst, a sensing finger slidably mounted in the slide for vertical movement above the insole, a fluid motor comprising a piston and cylinder mounted on the slide, link means connecting the piston to the sensing finger, means for supplying fluid to the cylinder to move the piston and thereby to yieldably urge the sensing finger into engagement with the upwardly facing surface of the insole, motor means connected to the support for moving the support downwardly, means for operating the motor means to move the support downwardly, said fluid motor causing the piston to move outwardly and the sensing finger to remain in engagement with said insole surface during said downward movement, a switch for controlling said fluid motor mounted on the slide, a switch actuator rod disposed adjacent the switch, means yieldably urging the actuator rod against the switch to thereby close the switch, adjustable abutment means mounted on the switch actuator rod, a control finger connected to the piston for movement therewith and disposed to engage the abutment means to thereby move the actuator rod away from the switch and open the switch, control means interconnecting the switch and the motor means responsive to the opening of the switch to terminate the operation of the motor means thereby stopping the downward movement of the support when the insole contacting surface of the sensing finger reaches a predetermined level subjacent the wipers, and means for moving the wiper means across the insole to wipe the lasting margin down against the insole.

10. A switch actuator for opening a closed switch in response to downward movement of a shoe insole mounted on a last comprising a sensing finger mounted for vertical movement, yieldable drive means having a part connected to the sensing finger for movement therewith and adapted to keep the finger in engagement with the insole during downward movement of the insole, a switch positioned adjacent the drive means, a switch actuator rod positioned adjacent the switch, means for yieldably urging the rod against the switch to thereby close the switch, abutment means on the switch actuator rod, and a control finger mounted on the drive means for movement therewith and disposed to engage the abutment means to thereby move the actuator rod away from the switch and open the switch in response to a predetermined downward movement of the sensing finger.

11. A switch actuator for opening a closed switch in response to downward movement of a shoe insole mounted on a last comprising a sensing finger mounted for vertical movement, a fluid motor comprising a piston and a cylinder, means connecting the piston to the sensing finger, means for supplying fluid to the cylinder to move the piston outwardly of the cylinder and to move the sensing finger downwardly so that the sensing finger may engage the insole during its downward movement, a switch positioned adjacent the cylinder, a switch actuator rod disposed. adjacent the switch, means yieldably urging the actuator rod against the switch to thereby close the switch, adjustable abutment means mounted on the switch actuator rod and a control finger connected to the piston for movement therewith and disposed to engage the abutment means to thereby move the actuator rod away from the switch and open the switch in response to a predetermined downward movement of the sensing finger.

12. A lasting machine comprising a support for holding bottom side up a last having a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon, wiper means, means for moving the wiper means over the last to wipe the upstanding margin of the upper down on the insole, means for applying pressure to effect relative heightwise movement between the wiper means and the support during the movement of the wiper means to apply pressure between the last 12 and the undersurface of the wiper means, and means operable to terminate the application of pressure when the pressure between the shoe underside and the wiper means reaches a predetermined amount.

13. A lasting machine comprising a support for holding bottom side up a last having a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon, wiper means, means for moving the wiper means over the last to wipe the upstanding lasting margin of the upper down on the insole, means for efiecting relative heightwise movement between the support and the wipers to apply pressure between the last and the undersurface of the wiper means during the forward movement of the wiper means, and means operable to terminate the application of pressure when the pressure between the shoe underside and the wiper means reaches a predetermined amount and to resume the application of pressure when the pressure between the shoe underside and the wiper means falls below a predetermined amount.

14. A lasting machine comprising a support for holding bottom side up a last having a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon, wiper means, means for moving the wiper means over the last to wipe the upstanding lasting margin of the upper down on the insole, a fluid motor for effecting heightwise movement of the support, a solenoid operated valve connected to the fluid motor for controlling said motor, means for actuating said valve to raise thesupport during the forward movement of the wiper means to apply pressure between the last and the undersurface of the wiper means during the forward movement of the wiper means, and a pressure operative switch connected to said valve and operative to actuate the valve to terminate the application of pressure when the pressure between the shoe underside and the wiper means reaches a predetermined amount.

15. The lasting machine as defined in claim 14 wherein said switch is operative to actuate the valve to reapply pressure between the last and the undersurface of the wiper means when the pressure between the shoe underside and the wiper means falls below a predetermined amount.

16. In an end lasting machine, a frame, wipers on the frame having an opening therebetween for receiving the end of a shoe, spreaders on the frame disposed about the opening between the wipers, a support on the frame holding adjacent the wipers and bottom side up a last having a shoe upper and insole thereon, means for effecting heightwise movement of the support, means for effecting movement of the spreaders to clamp the lasting margin of the upper outspread against the wipers, means for initiating movement of said first named means to lower the support to a position in which the upwardly facing surface of the insole is subjacent the wipers, means for effecting forward movement of the wipers across the insole to wipe the upstanding lasting margin of the upper down against the insole, means for reversing the movement of the first-named means to raise the support to press the insole against the underside of the wipers during their forward movement, and means for rendering the reverse movement of the first-named means inoperable whenever the pressure between the underside of the wipers and the shoe insole reaches a predetermined amount.

17. In an end lasting machine, a frame, wipers on the frame having an opening therebetween for receiving the end of a shoe, spreaders on the frame disposed about the opening between the wipers, a support on the frame holding adjacent the wipers and bottom side up a last having a shoe upper and insole thereon, a fluid motor for effecting heightwise movement of the support, means for effecting movement of the spreaders to clamp the margin outspread against the wipers, means for supplying pressure fiuid to the motor in a direction to lower the support to a position in which the bottom of the insole is subj'acent the wipers, means for effecting forward movement of the wipers across the insole to wipe the upstanding lasting margin of the upper down against the insole, means for supplying fluid pressure to the motor in a. direction to raise the support to press the insole against the underside of the wipers during said forward movement, and means operable to interrupt the supply of fluid pressure to said motor when the pressure between the insole and wipers reaches a predetermined amount.

18. A lasting machine comprising a support for holding bottom side up a last having a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon, wiper means, means for moving the wiper means over the last to wipe the upstanding lasting margin of the upper down aaginst the insole, and pressure applying means operable intermittently to apply pressure between the undersurface of the wiper means and the insole and to release it during the movement of the wiper means.

19. A lasting machine comprising a frame, movable wiper means mounted on the frame, at least one presser member mounted on the frame, a support on the frame for holding bottom side up a last having a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon, means for pressing the presser member against the upper surface of the wiper means to clamp the lasting margin of the upper against the wiper means, means for moving the wiper means across the insole to wipe the lasting margin down against the insole, and means automatically operative in response to the forward movement of the wiper means to release the pressure of the presser member against the lasting margin without moving said presser member.

20. A lasting machine comprising a frame, movable wiper means mounted on the frame, at least one presser member mounted on the frame, a support on the frame for holding bottom side up a last having a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon, fluid pressure motor means operable for effecting movement of the presser member to press the lasting margin of the upper against the upper surface of the wiper means to clamp the lasting margin of the upper against the wiper means, means for moving the wiper means across the insole to wipe the lasting margin down against the insole, and means operative during the forward movement of the wiper means to release the pressure supplied to said fluid pressure motor to thereby release the pressure of the presser member against the lasting margin.

21. A lasting machine comprising a frame, a movable wiper means mounted on the frame, retarder means mounted on the frame, a support on the frame for holding bottom side up a last having a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon, a clamp positioned above the last,

means for moving the clamp downwardly under relatively heavy pressure into engagement with the upwardly facing surface of the insole, means for holding the support in a position wherein the upwardly facing surface of the insole is above the level of the undersurface of the wiper means, means for causing the retarder means to engage the lasting margin of the upper and retard it against movement, a vertically movable sensing finger positioned between the clamp and wiper means, means for lowering the sensing finger into engagement with the upwardly facing surface of the insole under relatively light pressure, means for moving the support and clamp downwardly in unison, said sensing finger remaining in engagement with said insole surface during said downward movement, means operative in response to the movement of the sensing finger to terminate the downward movement of the support and clamp when the insole contacting surface of the sensing finger reaches a predetermined level subjacent the wiper means, and means for moving the wiper means across the insole to wipe the lasting margin down against the insole.

22. A lasting machine comprising a frame, movable wiper means mounted on the frame, retarder means mounted on the frame, a support on the frame for bolding bottom side up a last having a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon, means for holding the support in a position wherein the upwardly facing surface of the insole is above the level of the undersurface of the wiper means, means for causing the retarder means to engage the lasting margin of the upper and retard it against movement, a sensing finger mounted for vertical movement above the insole, yieldable drive means for urging the sensing finger downwardly into engagement with the upwardly facing surface of the insole, means for moving the support downwardly, said drive means causing the sensing finger to remain in engagement with said insole surface during said downward movement, means operative in response to the movement of the sensing finger to terminate the downward movement of the support when the insole contacting surface of the sensing finger reaches a predetermined level subjacent the wiper means, and means for moving the wiper means across the insole to Wipe the lasting margin down against the insole.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 780,996 Hebert Ian. 31, 1905 1,267,370 Brock May 28, 1918 2,573,886 Zaoral et al. Nov. 6, 1951 

